Tavish welcomes island housing fund

Posted by Laura Thomas | Updated 2016-09-13

Shetland MSP Tavish Scott and Orkney MSP Liam McArthur have welcomed a new £5 million islands housing fund as ministers confirmed during a Holyrood debate that they would adopt the Scottish Liberal Democrat proposal.

The Scottish Lib Dems tabled an amendment to a Scottish Government motion calling for the introduction of an islands housing fund. Housing Minister Kevin Stewart today confirmed that the Government is set to take the idea forward.

Speaking after the announcement, Liam McArthur MSP said:

“Island communities face very particular challenges in terms of affordable housing and this initiative has the potential to make a positive difference.

“We now need to see urgent work done to flesh out how the new fund will work in practice.”

Tavish Scott MSP added:

“There is huge pressure on affordable housing in Shetland and this announcement comes as welcome news. I am pleased that the Scottish Government have taken this idea forwards.

“However, boosting housing stock in the Isles will not come cheap. People will want to be assured that this is more than a PR exercise. The Minister made all the right noises today but make no mistake, he will be held to account for his words."

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